[33] Metabolomics

Question 1

What is Metabolomics?

Answer 1

The scientific study of chemical processes involving metabolites, the small molecule intermediates and products of metabolism.

Question 2

What are metabolites?

Answer 2

Small molecules that are intermediates and products of metabolism.

Question 3

What’s the primary goal of metabolomics?

Answer 3

To measure and identify all metabolites in a biological system under specific conditions.

Question 4

How is Metabolomics achieved?

Answer 4

Through the use of analytical techniques like mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Question 5

NMR - Initials

Answer 5

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Question 6

Mass spectrometry - Definition

Answer 6

An analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify and quantify molecules in simple and complex mixtures.

Question 7

What are the main applications of metabolomics?

Answer 7

• Drug discovery
• Plant and crop research
• Nutritional research
• Environmental science

Question 8

How is metabolomics used in drug discovery?

Answer 8

It helps identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers, and understand drug mechanism of action.

Question 9

How is metabolomics used in plant and crop research?

Answer 9

It helps in understanding plant responses to environmental stress and improving crop yield and resistance.

Question 10

How is metabolomics used in nutritional research?

Answer 10

It helps in understanding how diet affects human health and identifying biomarkers of dietary intake.

Question 11

How is metabolomics used in environmental science?

Answer 11

It helps in understanding how organisms respond to environmental changes and identifying biomarkers of environmental exposure.

Question 12

What information does metabolomics provide in the study of biological systems?

Answer 12

It provides a snapshot of the physiological state of a biological system at a specific point in time.

Question 13

How can metabolomics complement other “omics” studies?

Answer 13

It can provide functional information about cellular biochemistry that can be linked with genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to provide a more complete understanding of biological systems.

Question 14

How does Metabolomics help in disease diagnosis?

Answer 14

It can identify specific metabolic signatures in biological samples that can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis.

Question 15

What is targeted metabolomics?

Answer 15

A strategy that focuses on the measurement of a specific group of chemically characterized and biochemically annotated metabolites.

Question 16

What is untargeted metabolomics?

Answer 16

A strategy that aims to measure as many metabolites as possible in a biological sample without any bias.

Question 17

How does metabolomics contribute to precision medicine?

Answer 17

It can provide patient-specific metabolic profiles that can inform personalized treatment strategies.

Question 18

What challenges are associated with metabolomics?

Answer 18

• Complex data analysis and interpretation<br></br>- Identifying unknown metabolites<br></br>- Integration with other “omics” data

Question 19

How does metabolomics relate to the study of human microbiome?

Answer 19

It can help understand the metabolic interactions between the host and the microbiome, and their impact on health and disease.

Question 20

What are the major types of biological samples used in metabolomics?

Answer 20

• Blood (plasma, serum)
• Urine
• Tissues
• Cells